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What does this phrase mean?

What does the phrase "Butter won't melt in your mouth" mean?

  • This phrase keeps coming up in a book I'm reading, and I don't have a clue what it means. I think it means that someone is being tight-lipped or else sarcastic, but I can't figure out how it could mean either of those things. So, if you know what the phrase means, and how it means what it means, I would SOOOO appreciate it! Thanks.

  • Answer:

    It's a very old phrase (19th century and earlier) with a meaning that's the OPPOSITE of what it seems to mean. In fact, it has nothing to do with coolness at all. It SEEMS to mean that a person is cold, because (of course) butter always melts in your mouth. BUT: in fact, it means somebody who appears to be all nice and sweet and kind, and is actually a horrible rotten person. "You'd think butter wouldn't melt in their mouth"--meaning, they're so nice and kind that not even butter could be offended. And then behind your back they stab you. Example: a devious woman might smile and say, "Why, I've never even LOOKED at your boyfriend", and the other girl might say, "Yeah, right--and butter wouldn't melt in your mouth." So actually, it's an insult. Check this meaning with the book you're reading, and see if it makes sense.

Amanda at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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I've never heard of it before but I think it means that the person is cold, cause butter melts really easily especially in your mouth but if your mouth is really cold then it won't. Ok now that makes less sense to me. Sorry this might not help.

alorarhi

"cool as a cucumber" it's more about being icily formal to people. like if one girl doesn't like another, and instead of getting in her face and shouting, she treats her with chilly disdain....no heat in the exchanges, just extreme politeness without the kindness behind it. so butter won't melt in her mouth, because she's so cold.

you dont get anything you want.... you have to work for it

Aaron

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